Ruto Orders Crackdown on Foreign Hawkers and Small Retailers in Kenya

President William Ruto ordered Kenyan authorities to begin enforcing restrictions on foreign nationals engaged in hawking and small retail businesses from Monday, September 7, without waiting for proposed legislation. Speaking to micro, small and medium enterprise traders at State House in Nairobi, he directed Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to advance the bill. He also asked immigration officials to clarify investor permits and distinguished capital-intensive foreign investment from low-capital retail competition. Parliament says the Local Content Bill proposes at least 60% local sourcing by foreign companies and prioritises qualified Kenyans for employment.